Green Party of Alberta response to Question 11

Question: How will you ensure that Calgary young offenders have access to the supports they need in this community?

Will you commit to keeping CYOC open?

Answer:
There is no doubt that the closing of the Calgary Young Offenders Centre was a short-sighted, unwise and counter-productive decision. Making it significantly more difficult for the families, friends and other sources of support for young offenders to stay in close touch with them is an inhuman and cruel way to treat under-age offenders, who are after all children, and makes it less likely those offenders will be rehabilitated and more likely they offend again in the future costing the taxpayer even more.